Winona State University was ranked first among public universities in Minnesota in the Midwest Regional Universities category in U.S. News and World Report’s inaugural rankings of “Best Colleges for Veterans.”

In total, there were 234 ranked schools across all U.S. News ranking categories: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges. WSU was ranked 20th overall.

The new rankings provide data and information on schools that offer federal benefits, including tuition and housing assistance, to veterans and active service members.

All of the Best Colleges for Veterans scored well in terms of graduation rate, faculty resources, reputation and other markers of academic quality in the 2014 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges. The top-ranked schools in the “Best Colleges” rankings that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active service members apply, pay for and complete their degrees were considered for the new rankings. In order to qualify, schools need to be a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium, certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Schools were then ranked numerically based off the 2014 U.S. News Best Colleges list.

Winona State ranked second among public universities in Minnesota, seventh overall in Minnesota and 15th among public universities in the Midwest in U.S. News and World Report’s 2014 edition of “Best Colleges.”